Hope you all had an amazing Labor Day Weekend! Many of us spend so much of our time working and not enough time playing so I hope you had a chance to relax, enjoy family and loved ones. The best long weekends are when you can be at peace with nature and your surroundings.

Rewarding yourself is sure to keep your energy flowing. How will you reward yourself this fall?

A trip to the picturesque Ram's Gate Winery in Sonoma seems like a perfect reward! "In a world obsessed with making things faster, where speed is valued above all else, Ram’s Gate is our way of pressing pause."

The architecture is a modern interpretation of it's natural surroundings and weathered farmsteads of Carneros, while the interior is an eclectic mix of classic contemporary and urban cool.

Designer, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy did no wrong here and created something exciting at every turn. The interiors were designed with close attention to detail, from the open beam ceiling, the reclaimed wood walls, and the natural stone tops to the mill-work. Large glass pendant lights work great in open spaces because they make a gorgeous statement without cluttering the space.

The Byblos Art Hotel in Verona, Italy is both a contemporary art museum as well as a 5-star hotel. Traditional Italian villa on the outside and over-the-top modern madness on the inside. Stepping inside is sure to be a wake-up for your senses. The hotel is filled with modern works from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Anish Kapoor, Beatriz Millar, Damien Hirst, and Cindy Sherman. This contrast of modern art and 18th century architecture creates a jaw dropping statement that will have you mesmerized!

The 18th century building, Villa Amista, is the work of architect Ignazio Pellegrini while the inventive interiors were created by Allessandro Mendini. Let's take a look inside the minds of these magical designers.

The presidential suite is a cheerful place, combining sculptural mid-century modern chairs in bold yellow that contrast with the white surroundings. Perfect for any modern space, transparent acrylic chairs glow like light sculptures when the sun hits them.

How happy would you be to wake up in this room?! The vibrant colors and fabrics modernize the ornate furniture. Ultra modern floor lamps and table lamps can add even more fun to an already colorful space.

This room (above) is said to be like entering into the designer's imagination. Their mind feels organized and vibrant to me.

The Junior Suite (above) is filled with furniture from Mendini, Ron Arad, and Philippe Starck. Colorful modern wall sconces make a statement in any modern space, even in a room as dramatic as this one!

Dutch architects Bas ten Brinke and Carina Nilsson designed this modern home with edge, literally. We approve of this Nordic-style villa's clean lines and beautiful landscape, giving nod to Nordic customs and architecture traditions.

The entire home takes full advantage of the beautiful views with entire walls made up of windows. Not only is it great for taking in the pretty scenery, but the home feels very open and spacious. In the top photo you can see the ceiling even gets higher toward the main living room.

Modern wood paneling has no doubt progressed since the 70's, proving it's a trend that will be around for a while! We love the use of wood paneling on walls, ceilings, floors, and all-over because it has the ability to soften up a space. The white wood planks on the walls of this kitchen (above) create a very clean, natural feel. The oiled white oak floor warms up the space and the use of the same material over the hood is a feature design element. See how even this little accent of the natural wood on the walls can make such a big statement.

The marine plywood panels on the ceiling create a unifying element within this space. The use of wood on the ceiling allows you to use tile on the floor without the space feeling too cold.

Reclaimed wood walls are a very popular trend right now. They mix so beautifully with bold colors and industrial elements. The use of industrial wall sconces against reclaimed wood is the perfect pairing.

Wrapping the walls and ceiling of this rustic bathroom in un-milled, reclaimed wood is a great way to achieve that rustic modern cabin feel. The use of light wood planks and the light concrete floor feels bright and airy, creating a beautiful contrast with the black vanity.

Today, restaurant design uses reclaimed wood to achieve an industrial modern feel. It's a trendy look, creates a cozy atmosphere, and also helps absorb sound. Bronze pendant lights really are the perfect metallic accent in any modern, industrial interior. Gunmetal accents also work perfectly with this industrial modern feel.

Whether you're going for a modern-rustic or chic-industrial, incorporating wood paneling or reclaimed wood into your space can provide you layers of textures that bring softness and warmth. It's a trend that will definitely be around for awhile!

Sidney based architecture firm Andrew Maynard Architects took this old Victorian home with tall surrounding walls and turned it into a super cool modern home. We approve.

Simple forms, minimal furnishing and mixed materials all work together to create the home's modern look. When your minimal furnishings include cool, modern accent chairs go ahead and consider yourself on-trend.

Cool appliances, simple modern lighting and dark colored furniture make this place stylish for both male and female inhabitants.